Delminium was an Illyrian city and capital of Delmatia which was located in today's Tomislavgrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina.[1]
Contents |
The toponym Delminium has the same origin with the name of the tribe of the Dalmatae, which is connected with the Illyrian word delmë, dele in modern Albanian, which means sheep in English.[2][3]
The area has been inhabited by Illyrian tribe of Dalmatae[4] and Delminium was a town established by them in nowadays Tomoslavgrad.[5] Daelminium was situated on the location of today's Roman Catholic basilica, named after the first Croatian saint, Nikola Tavelić.
Area of Tomislavgrad was populated in 4000 BC - 2400 BC, even before Illyrians arrived, and from that time only polished stone axes remained as proof that someone was here.[6] Bronze Age (1800 BC - 800 BC) also left few marks in Tomislavgrad. Archeological collection of monastery in Široki Brijeg had few items founded on area of Tomislavgrad from Bronze Age: 34 bronze sickles, 3 axes and 2 spears. Those items were found in Stipanjići and Lug near Tomislavgrad. Discoveries were given to Archeological collection "fra Mijo Čuić and fra Stjepan Naletilić". Later, Fr Vojislav Mikulić found a bronze axe in Letka which he gave to those collections. Unfortunately, collection was destroyed in fire at the end of World War II. Only one sickle and axe survived the tragedy.[6] However, this collection says that population of Tomislavgrad at the time worked in primary sector, they were cattlemen, farmers and warriors.[6] Unlike their unnamed predecessors, Illyrians left material proofs from their time. On the slopes of the mountains which circle Tomislavgrad, Illirains built their forts, 36 of them. Those forts served as watchtower or forts against the enemy. There are also many graves of Illyrians which means that they cared about their dead.[6] Same as forts, graves are dating from Bronze and Iron Age to Roman conquest of Delminium (Tomislavgrad). In the graves of dead Illyrians, jewellery and items which the dead used, were found.[6]
Another inhabitants, except Illyrians, were Celts. They brought higher culture, crafts and most importantly better arms.[7] But soon, Celts have been asimilated as Illirians, since ther was only small number of them.[7] As Romans conquered terittory of Illyrian tribe Ardiaei, and so, Delmatae and their tribal union were last bastion of Illyrian freedom. Dalmataes attacked Roman wards near Neretva, Greek merchant towns and Roman friendly Illyrian tribe Daors. Illyrians upgraded their settlement into strong fort and surround their capital with wreath of smaller forts.[7] It is assumed that, during that time, 5,000 Dalmataes lived in Delminium.[7]
In 167 BC Illyiran forts were unable to stop Roman legions; after Romans conquered whol Adriatic coast southern from Neretva and after state of Ardieaeis was destoyed, Dalmatae were unable to avoid conflit with Romans. In 156 BC, first conflict between Dalmatae and Romans occurred. It ended next year resulting in defeat of Delmatae. Roman generals, Figulus and Conrelius Scipio Nazica conquered, destroeyed and burned Delminium. Reports of writers during that time say that Delminium was "large city", almost inaccessible and impregnable. Romans trowed lighted arrows at wooden houses, burned the city, conquered it and destroyed it.[7] After various rebellions led by Dalmatae and three war between them and Romans, their land was finally conquered by Romans in 9 AD.
After Roman conquest of Delminium, they started building roads and bridges. Roads that led to mainland of Balkans from Adriatic coast in Salona (Solin) and Narona (Vid near Metković) crossed in Delminium (Tomislavgrad). Remains of those and other Roman roads are still in existence.[6] Romans introduced their culture, language, legislation and religion. For next 400 years Tomislavgrad was in peace. After Romans finally defeated Dalmataes, Tomislavgrad was almost abandoned. There was also, for some period, a military crew of Romans stationed there to keep Illyrians under control.[6] Romans started to rebuild Delminium in 18 and 19 AD in time of emperor Tiberius.[6] During that time, center of city was built, a Roman forum. This forum was built on possession of present-day Nikola Tavelić basilica.[6] In 1896 Fra Anđeo Nuć discovered various sculptures of Roman pagan deities, fragments of pagan sarcophagi, and fragments of columns of medieval Christian church. From all those discoveries, most prominent are two votive monuments and altars dedicated to goddess Diana, one altar dedicated to native Illyrian god Armatus and one votive plate dedicated to goddess Libera. Later, relief of goddess Diana was also found and one relief of Diana and Silvanus together. Also, new pagan altars, fragments of sarcophagi, clay pottery, parts of columns, and various other findings from Roman and early medieval age were found. This led to conclusion that on place of present-day Catholic graveyard "Karaula" (which was previously an Ottoman military border post and guardhouse) was Roman and Illyrian pagan sanctuary and graveyard.[6]
|
||||||||||||||||